Winter Grow (RQS - SQA + MA)

DutchBarnacle 👋Hi there and welcome to this duo diary. Variety is the spice of life, so this diary we'll be growing not one large, but two smaller strains. Our goal is to use the SCroG method to spread out both canopies evenly across the entire area of the tent. Along the way, you'll likely also notice a third, even smaller pot, which is the Amnesia Haze Automatic (S1) from our other, simultaneous diary: https://growdiaries.com/diaries/291478 Strains in this diary: 1 ) Sherbet Queen Auto - Sativa 35% Indica 60% Ruderalis 5% || second time we grow this 2 ) Mimosa Auto - Sativa 65% Indica 30% Ruderalis 5% || very excited! Both plants will live in two plastic 9L pots as an experiment to see how a smaller container size will affect size/yield, as opposed to the fabric 30L bag first grow, and the fabric 19L bag with the Northern Light Automatic of last diary. With all variables being equal except for the strain, we figured it would be less administration to combine the two together. As such, the eventual 'Day 1' will be set to that of the first of these two that properly pops out of her shell. Four hypotheses we test: 1) The Sherbet Queen Automatic will yield less than the last time we grew it. The last grow of the Sherbet Queen Automatic yielded ~48 grams. In that grow, she received LST and full light priority as she was the only plant in the tent. Additionally, the previous Sherbet Queen was grown in a 19L fabric pot. Naturally, we'd expect a lower yield because she's not receiving full light priority and is housed in a 9L pot - in this run. If she does yield more than 50 grams, all the better! 2) It's possible to exceed, or at least match, the yield of the Northern Light Automatic. Combining the Sherbet Queen Automatic, the Mimosa Auto, and the Amnesia Haze (S1) While neither of these two plants are big yielders, they are able to yield at least 50 grams a piece. Hence, we reckon that together they should be able to yield a conservative total of 80grams dry. This would mean a modest yield of 40 grams dry a piece and perhaps some bonus yield of the simultaneous Amnesia Haze (S1) diary. If we manage this, it would open up the future choice between growing a single larger yielder, or multiple simultenous smaller plants - or in other words: allow for more variation of strains! 3) CalMag is not required during transition to flower. At least not in my grow style. Or rather, abstaining from CalMag will not cause issues. CalMag is widely considered a no-brainer. It was used for the first time in the Sherbet Queen Auto diary when she showed signs of a deficiency, but there was no consideration for the cause of that deficiency. In the previous Northern Light Automatic diary, we only added it once during the transition into bloom - and perhaps a second time during bloom. The CalMag of Plagron is in the form of Calcium Nitrate (= N) and thus will add to the Nitrogen levels in the soil. Some sources suggest to abstain from CalMag in the transition to bloom and to only apply it in late bloom or early veg. What we want to find out, is whether our soil mixture has improved enough to abstain from CalMag all together - this hypotheses coincides with number 4. 4) Our Home-made soil mix and nutrient boosters will carry us through the entire grow. Normally, we'd focus on yield of a single plant, justifying the use of mineral based nutrition to 'up' the yield. But since we're growing multiple plants this time in limited space - we reckon it's overkill to also try to pump them up. Moreover: We'll try to keep nutrition organic and circular during this grow. So the soil will have to sustain the plants at least until the transition to bloom, after which we'll most likely brew up a concoction of kitchen waste. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day G0 Both seeds were dropped on top of water in a mug. Day G2 Both shells have popped open and the taproots are peeking out, not far enough to justify planting them already. That, and the heavy rainfall of the past weeks has moistened up the prepared soil - which is stored and revitalized in the garden - to the point that it already has been sitting next to the radiator for two days and is still a bit too moist. Because of that, there's still a bunch of fungus gnats in the soil. Those are expected to dissipate when the soil dries, there's also a few sticky yellow traps. Hence, every day waited to plant the seeds means less fungus gnats in the tent to take care of. Day G3 The simultaneous AH (S1) has been moved to the tent yesterday. Most likely we'll be able to plant these two seeds as well this evening. That evening: Yep, the Sherbet Queen Auto (SQA) was ready to be planted with a taproot of about a full centimeter. The Mimosa Auto (MA) still needs another day or so.